Some advice for Gov. Phil Murphy’s spokespersons: Remember, you’re public servants, “with a responsibility to be honest and forthcoming about the actions of state government,” or so say communications and policy experts Jon Shure and Jayne O’Connor. Bottom line? Don’t let it go to your head.

One thing that hasn’t been given too much attention is the tepid support of marijuana legalization in the state’s non-white communities. Legitimate concerns abound, including any law’s handling of expungements and criminal justice reform, as well as a general distrust of legalizing what the hostile Department of Justice views as a schedule 1 drug and what that could give a green light to further round up marginalized communities.

Well, just days after millions of people relived January 21, 2017, our Democratic leaders are being rightly criticized for making a deal with Republicans to reopen the federal government while kicking DACA down the road.

Something to consider, for sure. But how do you win if you don’t fight? Shouldn’t protecting residents, ensuring social and financial equity, funding, building, and growing public assets, and ending laws that have been used to intentionally criminalize certain people enjoy overwhelming levels of popularity? We’re not even caving on hard stuff. This stuff should be easy if it were correctly communicated.

Angry Voters May Fuel Turnout, But Please, Don’t Only Run Against Trump

Remember the last time we ran against Donald Trump, like, for reals? It was 2016 and we freaking lost horribly.

Look at the numbers: Thirty-eight candidates are running for the state’s 12 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Twenty-nine of the declared candidates are Democrats. No Republicans have yet declared in seven districts, reports NJSpotlight.

Sure, talk about taking back the House and preventing Trump’s xenophobic, racist agenda from advancing, but also talk about how a positive, progressive agenda will work for all voters. Pretty please?